Jennifer's Posts

Im all most five months and getting better every day. Still not at 100% but the PT is helping the lymphodema and I gain strength and more stamina each day. My cardio give me toporal just in case after two very stressfully days at work which led to servers palpitations. But I haven't had to use it yet. And that is with my eldest son being hospitalized on mothers day with a staph infection. Fortunately he's was released yesterday although he is on IV antibotics until the 27th. Trying to keep it together the best way I can.

Yesterday I had my 16 week anniversary. I finally got into physical therapy for lymphademia. That was a challenge. So now I'm doing that three times a week and then back to cardiac rehab. I found at the end of the week I'm exhausted. Especially this week. Everytime I finally feel like I'm doing ok something else happens. My husbands grandfather passed away Wednesday morning so he's in Tampa with his mother and siblings. Wally was 93 years old and he had lost hs wife just over a year ago and thankfully he went peacefully in his sleep. I liked him a lot. I feel guilty because I'm still going through the swelling issue and my husband wanted me to say and go to PT for my breast and my arm. My heart is fine and compared to a month ago my stamina and strength has doubled which is great. I just need to remember that if I overdo I'm the one that pays the price. One day I'll learn.

I've bit a bit busy the last few weeks. Went back to work full time and going to cardiac rehab three times a week. I will also admit to having a bit of a pity party for myself. At 11 weeks post op I went to see my surgeon at the request of the nurses in rehab. . I have been experiencing swelling in my right breast when I use my right arm basically since they drainage tubes were removed. It's not always bad but it can get really bad pretty quick. I'm gaining more mobility I that arm but its a painful process. My surgeon conducted a very thorough exam last Tuesday. He then shook his head and said we had to go to the far right so we didnt disturb what was done when you were 3 ths and im sorry but you have lymphodema. It should work itself out with mild stretching no streangthing exercises. If it doesn't in two months I will need to send you to a breast guy. I had already been told my muscular pain would be here for about six months due to the amount of muscle,cartilage and scar tissue they had to go through but I was not expecting this. Last Friday the nurses let me know they went to physical therpy to find out what I should be doing and of course now PT wants to do a evaluation and possibly a lymphatic message. The thought of someone doing this to me is not appealing but I am keeping an open mind. Anything to stop the swelling and pain. When I was at rehab today I was speaking to a very nice 72 year old gentleman who overheard me explaining that I need my prescription redone to the PT which I should have tomorrow. He leaned over and said honey your still breathing, working and mad. Use that anger to push through it and youll be fine. Needless to say I laughed so hard I almost cried. I felt way better and am confident I will get through this. Oh and btw. I went out to dinner over the weekend and wore high heals. Yea for me! Now I'm bringing them to the office to practice walking in them. I used to be able to jog in heals and I fully intend to do so again. Much love to all who are facing surgery. That's the easy part. Recovery is where your temper and patience will be tested.